Nine Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

Noticeable symptoms of pancreatic cancer often don’t appear when the cancer is in its early stages, making it difficult to diagnose. Because of this, it is especially important to be aware of the possible symptoms pancreatic cancer can cause. Be mindful of what is normal for you and your body, and promptly report any new or unusual symptoms to a physician.

Here are some symptoms that often help physicians arrive at a pancreatic cancer diagnosis:

Pain in the abdomen and back

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)

Changes in stools (constipation or diarrhea)

Unintentional weight loss

New-onset diabetes

Enlargement of the gallbladder

Nausea, vomiting, indigestion, loss of appetite and other digestive difficulties

Symptoms of advanced-stage pancreatic cancer

In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, there are other symptoms associated with advanced-stage pancreatic cancer, including:

Blood clots that form in the deep veins (deep vein thrombosis)

A swollen or distended abdomen caused by a buildup of fluid

It is important to remember that having one or more of these pancreatic cancer symptoms does not necessarily mean you have pancreatic cancer. There are a number of other conditions that can cause these symptoms, and only a medical professional can provide you with an accurate diagnosis. If you are showing any of these symptoms, follow up with a physician as quickly as you can.

What to do if you have pancreatic cancer symptoms

One place you can go to for pancreatic cancer diagnostic and treatment services is Moffitt Cancer Center. Since Moffitt is a high-volume cancer center, we treat more patients with uncommon malignancies such as pancreatic cancer than other, smaller cancer centers. As such, the multispecialty cancer experts in our Gastrointestinal Oncology Program have gained unparalleled experience diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer, which they use to develop individualized treatment plans for every patient who comes to Moffitt.

If you are showing symptoms of pancreatic cancer and would like to speak with a Moffitt physician, schedule a consultation by calling 1-888-663-3488 or completing a new patient registration form online. You do not need a referral to make an appointment.

Request an Appointment at Moffitt Cancer Center

Thank you for your interest in scheduling an appointment with our expert team. Please call us at 1-888-663-3488 and a patient services specialist can assist you with scheduling or click on one of the links below to fill out our convenient online form.

NEW PATIENTS To request a new patient appointment, please fill out the online form or call 1-888-663-3488.

RETURNING PATIENTS Since you are an established Moffitt patient, please call us directly to schedule your follow-up appointment at 1-888-663-3488.